UK households are being told to shut all windows in their houses on Saturday, Sunday and Monday as the heatwave peaks. The Met Office says temperatures will soar to a sweltering 32C this Friday, July 11, and continue to stay hot on Saturday with peaks of 33C, then 29-30C on Sunday, depending on where you are in the country. On Monday, temperatures will still be 28C, before finally easing off to 23C on Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a heat health alert for every area in the UK, lasting from now until Tuesday. During the hot weather, households are being urged to shut windows in order to keep houses cool. It may sound counterintuitive, but opening windows that face the sun can actually invite more hot air into your house, warming it up. Instead, any window facing the sun should be kept shut, and curtains or blinds closed to repel the hot sun.
The UK government’s hot weather advice says: “keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun.
This is backed up by energy supplier British Gas, which says that curtains and windows should be kept shut.
It says: “Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep the house cool. So try to only let the air in early, or late, in the day.
“Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you’re thinking up updating yours – but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer.”
The firm also says that hanging a wet sheet in front of windows can help keep your house cool even without a fan.
It says: “Hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window cools the warm air as it enters your home, and is a great way to cool down your home without a fan. While they’re not the most expensive appliance to run, using a fan is still likely to impact your fuel bills – but there are some things you can do to get the most out of the energy you’re paying for.
“To really cool down a room with a fan, place a deep dish of ice in the front of it to whip up the water mist and chill the breeze. You can also point a box fan out of an open window in the evenings – this pushes the hot air out instead of just blowing it around the room.”
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week. They are expected to reach 30°C in some areas today and exceed 30°C more widely tomorrow (Friday), with peak temperatures on Saturday of 33°C possible in parts of England and Wales.
“Scotland is also expected to meet heatwave criteria over the weekend. This hot spell is forecast to last longer and cover a broader area than previous ones so far this summer and pollen and UV levels will be very high in some areas. For updates, do keep an eye on the Met Office forecast as the picture develops.”
